Research briefing: 3D Printing

We’ll dive into private market trends in the 3D printing space, looking at how corporates are investing in more customizable means of production.

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Defined as companies that supply 3D printing products and services to B2B markets including aerospace, automotive, and construction, deals to industrial-focused 3D printing companies increased by 75% from 2014 to 2015, and increased a further 32% from 2015 to 2016.

Corporate investors account for an increasing percentage of investors in the industrial 3D printing space, pushing the deal count up year-over-year.

Meanwhile, deals to non-industrial companies — typically with consumer, healthcare, and artistic applications —increased from 2013 to 2015, before dropping off in 2016.

Total dollars entering the industrial 3D printing space shot up from 2014 to 2015, driven by makers of 3D printers. Several printer companies raised large rounds, led by Carbon, a provider of metals 3D printing systems. The company raised a $41M Series B round in Q1’15, followed by a $100M Series C round in Q3 of that year.

Funding levels have been sustained in 2017 by printer makers. Desktop Metal, a metals 3D printer maker, has raised $160M in Series C and Series D funding. Markforged, which makes composites 3D printers, raised a $30M Series C round in November 2017.